ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
Water Quality in lower stretches of the River Ganga found to be alarming: Study
Water Quality in the lower stretches of the River Ganga was found to be in an alarming situation by a team of scientists who developed the much-needed baseline of Water Quality Index  of the place. They reported a continuous deterioration of water quality.
Rapid human pressure and anthropogenic activities has resulted in release of untreated municipal and industrial sewages along with other forms of pollutants in the River Ganga. In particular, the lower stretches of the River Ganga, close to the megapolis Kolkata, are heavily influenced by anthropogenic factors, mainly due to intense population pressure on both sides of the river banks. As a result, there has been marked increase in discharge of untreated municipal and industrial sewages in the lower stretch of River Ganges with consequences for many unique and biodiversity ecosystems such as the Sundarbans mangrove and endangered charismatic species such as the Gangetic Dolphin.
The team led by Professor Punyasloke Bhadury from the Integrative Taxonomy and Microbial Ecology Research Group  at IISER Kolkata monitored nine sites encompassing 59 stations along 50 kms stretch of the lower stretches of the River Ganga over two years to understand the dynamics of key environmental variables including forms of dissolved nitrogen along with biological proxies to assess the state of health of Ganga. The scientists have come up with the WQI of the place, a key metrics that helps understand the health and ecological consequences for the lower stretch of River Ganga.
Department of Science and Technology - Water Technology Initiative has supported the group to undertake this key study which has been published in the journal ‘Environment Research Communications’ recently.
Their study has shown that WQI values of this stretch of the River was between 14–52 and was continuously deteriorating irrespective of the season of sampling. They have also identified the point source along with type of pollutants, in particular forms of nitrogen with effect on biota along the 50 km stretch that required immediate intervention for effective river basin management.
The findings from this study will be pivotal for long-term ecological health monitoring of the lower stretch of River Ganga, along with the integration of sensors and automation.
Publication link: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2515-7620/ac10fd
Box plots showing seasonal variation of key environmental parameters in the lower stretch of the River Ganga that are also known to influence WQI
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SNC/RR
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Ministry of Law and Justice
PRESS COMMUNIQUE
Vide Notification of even number dated 16.07.2022, in exercise of the power conferred by clause  of Article 224 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint S/Shri  Kishore Chandrakant Sant,  Valmiki SA Menezes,  Kamal Rashmi Khata,  Smt. Sharmila Uttamrao Deshmukh,  Arun Ramnath Pedneker,  Sandeep Vishnupant Marne,  Smt. Gauri Vinod Godse,  Rajesh Shantaram Patil and  Arif Saleh Doctor as Additional Judges of Bombay High Court.
Department of Justice , Ministry of Law & Justice
Ministry of Finance
Shri Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance: The assessment of the MPC for growth and inflation outlook is consistent with the Government’s assessment of inflation and growth; The Government welcomes the assessment of the MPC and its decision to reduce the Policy Rate and change of Monetary Policy Stance
The Monetary Policy Committee  in its Sixth Bi-Monthly Statement, issued today, on the basis of its assessment of the current and evolving Macroeconomic situation, decided to reduce the Policy Repo Rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility  by 25 basis points from 6.5 per cent to 6.25 per cent with immediate effect. Consequently, the Reverse Repo Rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 6.0 per cent, and the Marginal Standing Facility  Rate and the Bank Rate to 6.5 per cent.
The MPC also decided to change the Monetary Policy Stance from Calibrated Tightening to Neutral.
As against the GDP Growth projection of 7.4% for 2018-19 in the Fifth Bi-monthly Resolution in December, 2018, the CSO has estimated GDP growth at 7.2%. However, the GDP growth for 2019-20 is projected at 7.4%. The Actual Inflation Outcome at 2.6% in Q3: 2018-19 was marginally lower than the projection. The projections of inflation for 2018-19 and H1:2019-20 have been revised downwards from the December resolution.
Shri Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance said that the assessment of the MPC for growth and inflation outlook is consistent with the Government’s assessment of Inflation and Growth.
Shri Garg further said that the Government welcomes the assessment of the MPC and its decision to reduce the Policy Rate and change of Monetary Policy Stance.
Ministry of Defence
Enhancement of Capabilities of AI Technology
As per the recommendation of a task force set up by DDP under the Chairmanship of Shri N Chandrasekaran, Chairman Tata Sons, and in consultation with all stakeholders, Defence Artificial Intelligence Council  has been set up under the Chairmanship of Raksha Mantri to provide necessary guidance and structural support. Further, Defence AI Project Agency  has been created under the Chairmanship of Secretary DDP for enabling AI based processes in defence Organisations.
Artificial Intelligence framework and guidelines for projects and programmes in DRDO have been issued. All DRDO system laboratories have started AI technology groups to introduce AI features in all products.
Further, an AI roadmap has also been finalised for each DPSU under which 70 defence specific AI projects have been identified for development. Out of these projects, 40 projects have been completed by the DPSUs. Steps taken to train youth are as given below:
- DRDO has three dedicated laboratories, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics , Bengaluru and DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory -AI and DYST-CT  for application orientated research in AI in different domains.
- CAIR is nurturing start-ups & also conducting workshops for DRDO scientists to create skill sets on AI in Defence Systems.
- Defence Institute of Advanced Technology  is conducting Certified courses in AI & Machine Learning and so far more than 1000 professionals have been trained in these domains.
- AI is also promoted in academia and industry through R&D projects under Defence Industry Academia Centre of Excellences, Extramural Research and Technology Development Fund schemes of DRDO.
- DDP has earmarked Rs 100 crore per year for AI projects for Armed Forces.
- IAF has established the Unit for Digitization Automation, AI an App Networking  which is in the process of developing many applications for Campaign Planning and Analysis System, e-Nirikshan etc.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Sushil Kumar Gupta in Rajya Sabha today.
ABB/Savvy
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Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people of Himachal Pradesh on their Statehood Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Himachal Pradesh on their Statehood Day.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"सभी हिमाचलवासियों को पूर्ण राज्यत्व दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। नैसर्गिक सौंदर्य से समृद्ध इस प्रदेश के परिश्रमी लोग हमेशा देशसेवा में समर्पित रहे हैं। आने वाले समय में वे सफलताओं की नई ऊंचाइयों को प्राप्त करें, यही कामना है।"
Special Service and Features
International Sports Conference : SAI Regional Head Dr. G Kishore will represent India.
Thiruvananthapuram 02 March 2023
The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has nominated Dr. G Kishore, Principal and Regional Head, SAI LNCPE, Karyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram for representing India. He will present a paper on the topic “Managing Sports Organization to be better prepared for taking on new risks and adjusting to new norms”. The conference will be held in Doha, Qatar from March 5 to 8,2023. The conference is organized in collaboration with Qatar University and Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
The theme of this year's conference is "Bringing the World Together: Global and Local Perspectives on Sports Management". Topics such as global sports scene after the Covid pandemic, current crises, collaborations, marketing and networking will be discussed in the conference. The conference is focusing on sport business practices, issues, networking, collaborations, management, and marketing of global sport business after the COVID-19 pandemic, which offers a platform for the international exchange of ideas, best practices, and scientific inquiries.
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore  Flags off 9 DSNG Vans of Doordarshan
Union Minister of State  for Information & Broadcasting and Sports & Youth Affairs Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore  flagged off 9 DSNG Vans of Doordarshan here today. Secretary Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Shri Amit Khare, DG Doordarshan Smt Supriya Sahoo and other senior officials of the Ministry were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion Col Rajyavardhan Rathore  said that his Government stresses on Act East Policy and a lot of development efforts are taking place in North East India in this regard. Deployment of more DSNG vans in North East will help in making the development stories from North East reach the people.
As a part of fleet augmentation programme to enhance the capacity of Doordarshan for live broadcasting, 9 new C-Band DSNG vans has been inducted, which are capable of uplinking HD signals. These vans have been procured at a cost of Rs.22.83 Cr  through a Global Tender.
These DSNG Units would enable Doordarshan to enhance its live telecast capability from the North-East as 4 of these DSNGs are meant for Gangtok, Kohima, Imphal and Agartala. Since North-East is the focus area of the Government of India, these would provide a boost to the news gathering as well as programming initiatives from the hitherto uncovered areas in the North East. Apart from this, new DSNG units are also being deployed at Allahabad, Visakhapatnam, Chandigarh, Jagdalpur and Pune
Doordarshan has a fleet of 34 DSNGs which are deployed across the country. 16 of these DSNGs operate in C Band while 18 operate in Ku Band. However, out of 34 DSNGs only 2 are capable of uplinking HD signals, at present. DSNGs are Mobile Earth Stations which enable broadcasting from any remote place through a satellite system.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India registers Recoveries of 65,081 in the last 24 hours whereas 69,921 new cases were reported
In the last 24 hours, 819 deaths reported
Continuing the streak of posting more than 60,000 recoveries each day since the past five days, India has registered 65,081 recoveries in the last 24 hours. The cumulative number of recovered patients have grown to 28,39,882, taking the Recovery Rate among COVID-19 patients to further high of 77%. The number of recovered patients has overtaken the active cases by 3.61 times. India has more than 20.53 lakh recovered people than the active cases that stand at 7,85,996 today.
The number of recovered patients has grown 4 times from the first week of July to the last week of August 2020.
In the last 24 hours, five States have posted the highest addition to the new cases in the country. These are Maharashtra , Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , Tamil Nadu  and Uttar Pradesh . Together they account for 56% of the confirmed cases added in the last 24 hours.
These five states have also reported the maximum number of patients that were cured and discharged in the last 24 hours, cumulatively accounting for 58.04% of the national figure of 65,081 persons. While Maharashtra reported recoveries of 11,158 patients, the corresponding figures for Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka stand at 8,772 and 7,238. Tamil Nadu follows with 6,008, while Uttar Pradesh posted recovery of 4,597 COVID patients.
With a cumulative figure of 536 deaths in the last 24 hours, the above mentioned five states together account for 65.4% of the deaths added to the national total . Maharashtra has reported 184 deaths, Karnataka has added 113, followed by Tamil Nadu , Andhra Pradesh  and Uttar Pradesh .
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA.
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in and @CovidIndiaSeva .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no.: +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA IN TAMIL NADU; INAUGURATES THE CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS OF CHRISTIAN MEDICAL COLLEGE, VELLORE; SAYS THERE IS URGENT NEED FOR FILLING THE GAP IN HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN OUR COUNTRY
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the Christian Medical College , Vellore today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that public health is a global public good and a basic human right. Despite the strides we have taken as a country, there remain regional, rural-urban and gender and community imbalances in terms of health provision. Without adequately addressing these, we cannot rest.
The President said that as societies evolve, economies develop and population patterns change, countries go through epidemiological transitions. India too is experiencing such a transition. It is marked by three challenges in disease control. And we have to manage all three simultaneously. First, India has to reduce maternal and infant mortality as well as communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, vector-borne diseases such as malaria, water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoeal diseases, and vaccine-preventable like measles and tetanus. Second, India has to find an answer to the rise in non-communicable or lifestyle diseases – like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and many cancers. And finally we need to develop systems to detect and cope with new and re-emerging infectious diseases like HIV, avian flu and H1N1 influenza. In a globalised world, with people travelling in and out of our country in larger and larger numbers, a few small cases can very quickly scale up into a large outbreak.
The President said that this three-pronged challenge calls for interventions across the continuum of care. It calls for prevention of disease, promotion of good health practices and treatment and cure in case of an illness. The impact of a health problem is cross-cutting – it affects a variety of sectors. The meeting of this challenge should also follow a multi-stakeholder approach. Government and civil society, private and public health care providers, charitable and economic institutions all have a role and a stake.
Referring the shortage of manpower in the healthcare system, the President said that there is urgent need for filling the gap in healthcare professionals in our country, and to reform medical education so as to create room for more colleges and more medical graduates. Science and technology are most commonly applied to our benefit by engineers and doctors. In India we have 1.47 million undergraduate engineering seats, but only 67,352 undergraduate medical seats. And about 20 per cent of those seats were added in the past four years. As a country and a system, we need to address this gap quickly.
The President said that doctors need a sharp mind – but much more than that, they need a warm heart. He urged CMC Vellore to continue to train doctors and nurses with warm hearts.
Later in the day, the President will also inaugurate the Kidney Transplant Unit and Cardiac Unit of the Sri Narayni Hospital and Research Centre, Vellore.
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Prime Minister's Office
PM applauds as Indian Army deploys its largest contingent of women peacekeepers in United Nation mission at Abyei, UNISFA
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed pride as Indian Army deploys its largest contingent of women peacekeepers in United Nation mission at Abyei, UNISFA. Shri Modi also said that India has a tradition of active participation in UN peacekeeping missions.
Responding to a tweet by ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“Proud to see this.
India has a tradition of active participation in UN peacekeeping missions. The participation by our Nari Shakti is even more gladdening.”
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
166.03 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 18,31,268
Active cases stand at 4.43%
Recovery Rate currently at 94.37%
2,62,628 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to
3,89,76,122
2,09,918 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
72.89 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 13,31,198 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 60.25 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 4.20 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs with 1.51Crore doses in Pipeline
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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60,25,95,250
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PIPELINE
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1,51,58,650
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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4,20,58,316
More than 60.25crorevaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so farthrough Govt of India  and through direct state procurement category.Further,more than 1.51Crore doses  are in the pipeline.
More than 4.20Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
GAIL registers highest ever Half Yearly Turnover, PBT and PAT
Half yearly PAT jumps 194% to Rs. 4,393 Crore
GAIL  Limited registered its highest ever Half Yearly Turnover and profit in H1 FY 22, clocking a turnover of Rs. 38,829 crore as against Rs. 25,671 crore in the last fiscal, an increase of 51%. The Profit before Tax increased by 201% to Rs. 5,736 crore vis a vis Rs. 1,907 crore in H1 of previous year. Profit after Tax also jumped by 194% to Rs. 4,393 crore for the half year as against Rs. 1,495 crore in H1 FY 21.
On quarterly basis, Turnover increased by 24% to Rs. 21,477 crore in Q2 FY22 as against Rs. 17,352 crore in Q1 FY22. PBT registered a growth of 79% and stood at Rs. 3,682 crore in Q2 FY22 as against Rs. 2,054 crore in Q1 FY22. PAT increased by 87% to Rs. 2,863 crore in Q2 FY22 as against Rs. 1,530 crore in Q1 FY22.
During the quarter, the physical performance improved across all segments. Natural Gas Transmission increased to 114.32 MMSCMD in Q2 FY22 as against 107.66 MMSCMD in Q1FY22, up by 6%. Natural Gas Marketing increased to 97.72 MMSCMD during the quarter as against 95.95 MMSCMD in Q1 FY22, up by 2%. Petrochemical production sales was at 221 TMT in the quarter as against 138 TMT in Q1 FY 22, clocking an increase of 60%.
On a consolidated basis, Turnover in Q2 FY22 was Rs. 21,739 Crore in comparison to Rs. 17,551 crore in Q1 of FY22, up by 24 %. The PBT in Q2 FY22 was Rs. 3,728 crore vs. Rs. 2,540 crore in Q1 FY22, up by 47 %. The PAT in Q2 FY22 is Rs. 2,883 crore vs. Rs. 2,138 crore in Q1 FY22, up by 35%.
Mr. Manoj Jain, Chairman & Managing Director, GAIL informed that during the H1 FY22, GAIL has incurred a Capex of Rs. 3,180 crore mainly on Pipelines, Equity and Petrochemicals etc. He stated that performance of all segments of the company have improved significantly during the quarter and further added that a sustainable future performance is expected.
Ministry of Defence
IONS MARITIME EXERCISE 2022 
The maiden edition of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium  Maritime Exercise 2022  was conducted at Goa and in Arabian Sea from 26 – 30 Mar 22. The aim of the exercise was to enhance interoperability in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief  operations among member navies. The exercise witnessed participation of 15 out of the 25 member nations of IONS.
The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium , established in 2007, is a premier forum for cooperation and collaboration among navies of littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. The forum has enabled discussions on regional maritime issues, promoted friendly relationships, and significantly improved maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
IMEX – 22 comprised a Harbour Phase at Marmugao port, Goa from 26 to 27 March 22 followed by a Sea Phase in the Arabian Sea from 28 to 30 March 22. The participation included warships, Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters from the Navies of Bangladesh, France, India and Iran. 22 Observers from 15 IONS member navies, namely Australia, Bangladesh, France, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE and UK also participated in the exercise. The participants validated the IONS HADR guidelines and developed response mechanisms for providing HADR from sea to shore as well as for rendering assistance to ships and crafts in distress at sea. The Chiefs of Indian and French Navies witnessed exercises during the sea phase of IMEX – 22 and also attended the post exercise debrief.
The exercise is seen as a significant stepping stone for regional navies to collaborate and respond collectively to natural disasters in the region and paves way for further strengthening regional cooperation.
VM/JSN
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Ministry of Earth Sciences
No Heat Wave Conditions likely over any part of the country during the next five days
According to the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department :

Current Temperature Status and Warning for next five days
Yesterday’s Maximum Temperature Scenario:
Heat Wave: - NIL.
Maximum Temperature: - Maximum Temperatures more than 40.0°C were recorded at a few places over West Rajasthan and at isolated places over East Rajasthan and West Madhya Pradesh.
Yesterday, the highest maximum temperature of 42.4°C reported at Fatehgarh .
Today’s Minimum Temperature Scenario:
Warm Night: - Nil.
Minimum Temperature:- : Minimum temperatures were above normal  at many places over Gujarat region and Sub Himalayan West Bengal; at few places over Konkan & Goa and at isolated places over west Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Madhya Maharashtra, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal and west Madhya Pradesh.

Kindly download MAUSAM APP for location specific forecast & warning, MEGHDOOT APP for Agromet advisory and DAMINI APP for Lightning Warning & visit state MC/RMC websites for district wise warning.